DELAWARE: House panel approves two wind power measures

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/NEWS01/80313016/1002

DELAWARE: House panel approves two wind power measures

Associated Press

DOVER — The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee has approved two concurrent resolutions addressing plans for an offshore wind power farm.

One measure would force the state to approve the 150-turbine project proposed by Bluewater Wind. The other would require that Bluewater's electricity costs be spread to all electricity customers in the state, even if they aren't customers of Delmarva Power.

The measures now go to the fill House. A Senate committee is holding separate hearings on the wind power project.

Bluewater wants Delmarva Power to sign a state-ordered power contract, but Delmarva has argued that it can get better prices for non-polluting power from other sources, including on-shore wind farms.

[cyberpj]

1. Hey, thanks for this info. As a favor -

would you please cross post it to the Delaware forum?
Thanks! :hi:

[phantom power]

2. Interesting. Will Bluewater bail if they don't get their state-ordered contract?

[shireen]

3. no mention of location...

coastal Delaware and New Jersey areas are important migratory bird staging areas. I've heard wind power turbines have high bird kill rates.

Anyone know additional info about the location and wind turbine/bird kill controversy?

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Here you go...

This will answer most of the siting questions you have:
http://www.bluewaterwind.com/facts.htm?cat=delaware

This should address your ecological concerns:
http://www.delawareaudubon.org/conservation/pscdecision.html

Environmental Groups Applaud
PSC Decision to Support Wind

Dover, DE (May 8, 2007) -- Delaware Audubon and the Sierra Club of Delaware applaud the Public Service Commission for voting unanimously today in support of the Bluewater Wind offshore wind energy project.

The Commission heard the staff recommendation to allow Bluewater Wind to begin negotiations with Delmarva Power on a long-term power purchase agreement for 200-300 MW of electricity with a Conectiv natural gas backup plant to be located in Sussex County. The Commission voted to support a 300MW to 600 MW offshore wind energy project and agreed to allow Conectiv and NRG to compete for the natural gas backup plant in separate negotiations with Delmarva Power.

Bluewater Wind announced last week that it had entered into an agreement with the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC) to purchase up to 100 million kilowatt hours of energy annually over 20 years. DEMEC is a consortium of nine Delaware municipalities that operates a natural gas plant near Smyrna to save on energy costs by providing electricity during peak demand periods and through bulk power purchases. This agreement amounts to a vote of confidence for the BWW offshore wind energy project.

The PSC will take up its order at a Commission meeting in two weeks. The heads of the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Controller General have yet to endorse the Commission's action. We call on these agencies to join the PSC in moving forward on this project, which is in the long-term economic, public health and environmental best interests of the state.

...

[shireen]

6. excellent info, thank you both. nt

[diane in sf]

5. Old style wind turbines have high bird kill rates, new ones don't.